Black Eye Diagnosis

For most black eyes, a basic physical examination is all that is required.

The doctor asks about the facts in regard to the injury and looks for associated injuries or symptoms.

The basic physical examination includes checking the patient's vision, shining a light into the eyes to look at the pupils and inside the eye itself for any injury, testing the motion of the eye (following the doctor's finger with the eyes), and examining the facial bones around the eye.

Depending on what is found, the doctor may perform additional testing.

The doctor may put a dye on the eye and look at the eye under a special light to check for abrasions to the eyeball or foreign bodies (objects).

If the doctor suspects the patient may have a fracture to the bones of the face or around the eye (the orbit), an X-ray or a CT scan may be ordered. This may also be done if the doctor suspects that something is inside the eye.

If there are any special concerns, the doctor will refer the patient to an appropriate specialist, such as an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in eye care and surgery), for follow-up care.